Winton's Ningaloo doco gets $1.4m

Author Tim Winton is bringing Ningaloo Reef to the world with a three-part documentary series supported by a $1.4 million grant from the Western Australian Screen Fund.

The series, narrated and written Mr Winton, will explore the stories of the animals and people drawn to the biodiversity hotspot that has survived relatively untouched due to its isolation.

The grant will enable the making of the series, called Ningaloo with Tim Winton, by Fremantle-based production company Artemis Media.

Artemis Media’s recent projects include Australia’s Health Revolution with Dr Michael Mosley, which was named by SBS as one of its top three titles for 2021.

Ningaloo with Tim Winton will roll out on wildlife media brand Love Nature’s streaming platforms, which are available in more than 135 countries.

It will also be shown on Sky Nature in the UK, Germany and Italy.

Mr Winton said the story of Ningaloo was of personal significance to him.

“Ningaloo has had an enormous impact on my life and work, and this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pay homage through new science, ancient knowledge and a shared ethic of stewardship,” he said.

Adaptions of Mr Winton’s novels, Dirt Music and Breath, were also filmed in WA locations.

Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman said the project would bring significant spend to the Gascoyne, and the local economic benefits were set to be significant for the region.

Screenwest chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said she could not wait to see the coral coast showcased to audiences across Australia and the world.

“Having had a number of his much-loved novels adapted into WA feature films and TV series over the last decade, this is a fantastic opportunity for Tim Winton to step in front of the camera,” she said.

Ningaloo with Tim Winton will premiere in Australia on ABC in 2023.

A feature film based on Mr Winton’s novel Blueblack is currently in post-production.